Historic Old Post Office Reborn As The Westman Boutique Hotel: A New Boost For Local Hospitality In Oregon, US!

Published on December 8, 2025

Nestled right in the middle of downtown Bend in Oregon, US the former post office almost hundred years old located at 777 NW Wall Street has undergone a complete makeover and turned into a stylish new lodging destination. The structure built in 1932 and once a community landmark is now The Westman Boutique Hotel opening its doors for travelers. The hotel recently opened its booking and is expected to start welcoming guests by the middle of December 2025.

This historic revival is more than a facelift it signals a renewed chapter in Bend’s hospitality story, offering visitors a blend of heritage charm and modern comfort in a city already beloved for its natural beauty and cultural vibrancy.

Preserving History With New Purpose

The building that now houses The Westman originally served as Bend’s post office, and was one of the city’s first structures built using reinforced concrete. Its 1930s Neo-Classical architecture with Art Deco flourishes earned it a place on the national heritage register back in 1985.

Developers and architects involved in the project were committed to preserving as much of the original fabric as possible. Over 175,000 bricks, 1,900 square feet of terrazzo flooring, 44 original windows, Utah “golden travis” marble from the original lobby, cast-brass door hardware, and even historic light fixtures and railings were retained. w

Inside, the hotel honours the building’s heritage: original mouldings, the grand staircase, leaded-glass windows and even a former postal-vault door (now displayed as a design artefact) lend an immersive feeling of staying in a piece of Bend’s past.

A Unique Stay: Rooms, Amenities and Atmosphere

The Westman offers 23 individually designed rooms and suites, varying from cosy quarters to airy loft-style suites. Some boast soaring 16-foot ceilings, others include mezzanine levels, private patios with firepits, or in-room fireplaces and spa-inspired bathrooms with soaking tubs.

Guests can unwind in the heated outdoor soaking pool, gather around communal fire pits in the courtyard, or settle down in the lobby parlour and bar named Minnie’s, under soaring historic windows and beside an Art Deco-inspired fireplace.

The hotel also offers curated local experiences: from walking to nearby restaurants, boutiques and galleries, to guided tours into the high-desert landscape surrounding Bend. The Westman positions itself as a home base for extraordinary experiences, combining walkable downtown convenience with access to Oregon’s outdoor adventures.

Honouring a Pioneer: The Story Behind the Name

The Westman isn’t just a catchy title it pays tribute to Minnie Westman, the trailblazing 19th-century mail carrier who became the first woman to deliver mail west of the Mississippi. At just 20, she rode horseback across the rugged terrain of Oregon’s coastal mountain ranges to deliver letters and parcels. By naming the hotel after her, the owners evoke her spirit of determination, adventure and connection.

The hotel’s design intent reflects that inspiration, The Westman aims to be more than a place to sleep, but a space that invites boldness, curiosity, and the unexpected: a suitable tribute to its namesake’s trail-blazing legacy.

What This Means for Bend’s Hospitality & Economy

The addition of The Westman is expected to give a fresh boost to Bend’s hospitality sector. With only 23 rooms, it brings upscale lodging that is complementary to mass-market hotels, filling a niche for travellers seeking heritage, design and intimacy rather than generic chain lodging.

And the economic ripple could be significant. Higher average room rates at boutique properties tend to increase transient-room tax revenue, which directly supports city services like roads, fire and police.

Moreover, by using adaptive reuse and working with local craftsmen, architects and suppliers, the project keeps economic benefit within Oregon, strengthening local supply chains and boosting employment, all while preserving an architecturally and historically significant building.

Finally, the hotel adds momentum to Bend’s downtown revitalisation, offering guests a destination that bridges history and modernity. The Westman is primed to attract travellers looking for authentic experiences and to encourage longer stays and greater spending at local restaurants, boutiques, galleries and outdoor-adventure operators in Bend.

A New Chapter for Travellers and for Bend

Staying at The Westman offers more than a comfortable bed: it offers a story, a sense of place, a connection to Bend’s heritage and a doorway to adventure. For the travel journalist, dreamer, or wanderer passing through Oregon’s high desert, this restored post office–turned-boutique-hotel offers a rare opportunity: to stay where history was made, and to leave with a new one of your own.

For Bend, The Westman represents hope: that preservation, hospitality and sustainable development can come together to create something that enriches the city, economically, culturally and experientially.